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National Preparedness Month Focuses on Being Ready

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –September is National Preparedness Month and state and federal emergency management officials urge Alabamians to take the opportunity to update their disaster plan and prepare their families, homes and businesses. If another disaster strikes, it is important to have supplies and necessities to last the first 72 hours before help arrives.

“Being ready when disaster strikes should be a top priority for everyone,” said Jeff Byard, state coordinating officer for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. “Being prepared could save your life, business and property.”

People should prepare an emergency kit, make a plan, and be informed on potential emergencies that can happen in their community and the appropriate way to respond. Some other things to consider are kids, pets, and businesses, all of which need specific plans of action in a disaster. Business owners can find steps to take to prepare their property and investment on the Ready Business website.

“As we saw in April, a disaster can strike at any time with little notice and we want to make sure that Alabamians have the information they need,” said Joe M. Girot, federal coordinating officer for FEMA.

National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizens Corps and the Advertising Council and is held each September to encourage all Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies. For a full disaster preparedness strategy, visit www.Ready.gov .

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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